Businesses do not have the luxury of ignoring their responsibilities

The deaths of a mother, father and their two children who were hospitalized from their hotel in Fatih after developing suspected food poisoning following a meal at a restaurant in Beşiktaş shifted public attention to hotel and business pest control practices after it was revealed that the hotel had recently undergone chemical fumigation.

Prof. Kaan Yılancıoğlu emphasized that people naturally eat out and drink coffee and that this is a social necessity, adding: “However, citizens should prefer businesses they trust, where they can see the kitchen and which operate transparently.”

Prof. Yılancıoğlu also stated that individuals seeking pest control must always check the certificates and permits of the professionals offering the service, noting: “No service should be received from anyone without authorization or certification. Additionally, if fumigation is going to be performed, it must be remembered that one or two days should be spent away from home. The same applies to businesses.”

Prof. Kaan Yılancıoğlu, Head of the Department of Biosafety at Üsküdar University Graduate School of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, evaluated the poisoning incident that claimed the lives of a four member family in Fatih.

“These poisoning cases are not one day problems”

Prof. Kaan Yılancıoğlu said: “The situation of the family who came from Germany to Türkiye is a terrible tragedy. What happened deeply saddened and angered all of us because such incidents are the result of simple negligence and carelessness.”

Stating that “These poisoning cases are not one day problems,” Prof. Yılancıoğlu emphasized that various examples of food poisoning are frequently encountered in daily life but they do not become a public issue unless major tragedies occur.

“There is a serious lack of education”

Prof. Yılancıoğlu noted that even everyday carelessness can sometimes lead to fatal consequences, explaining: “Many poisoning incidents occur every day due to situations like pouring detergent into an unlabelled water bottle or mixing hydrochloric acid with bleach. These incidents are a major societal problem and should not be dismissed as simple negligence. There is a serious lack of education.”

None of us would imagine that fumigation with a toxic chemical may have been carried out

Explaining that food poisoning is actually an infection, Prof. Yılancıoğlu continued: “This infection may lead to diarrhea, nausea and fatigue. In some cases, mild stomach discomfort that resolves the following day can occur. Ultimately, this picture is an infection. However, if you are experiencing shortness of breath, severe muscle cramps and pain, intense drowsiness, nausea, headache, confusion or double vision, you would naturally seek emergency medical care. But none of us would imagine drinking a coffee prepared with detergent or that highly toxic fumigation was performed in a hotel room without proper ventilation.”

Most gases are odorless and tasteless

Drawing attention to the possibility of chemical poisoning in the hotel incident, Prof. Yılancıoğlu reminded that fumigation type pest control requires the area to remain closed for several days and then ventilated for a long period.

Prof. Yılancıoğlu stated: “Most of these gases are odorless and tasteless. People only realize they have been poisoned when severe symptoms begin. This is why the responsibility placed on businesses is extremely high.”

Pest control must not be performed by unauthorized individuals or with unregulated products

Emphasizing that pest control must only be carried out by certified professionals authorized by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof. Yılancıoğlu said: “Pest control must never be performed using unregulated products or by unauthorized individuals. The certification of the chemicals must be checked and the procedure must always be reported to neighbors and building management. If fumigation is applied, not only the target apartment but also the neighboring floors may be affected. This is why everyone must be informed.”

Businesses do not have the luxury of ignoring their responsibilities

Prof. Yılancıoğlu emphasized the need to increase societal awareness, stressing that inspections must continue in a strict and deterrent manner and that businesses cannot ignore their responsibilities.

He stated: “I especially want to address businesses. We always talk about inspections but it is impossible to assign a police officer or municipal officer to stand behind every individual. No matter how many inspections are conducted, poisoning cases and deaths will continue unless people understand their own responsibilities. This must be understood first. These individuals are part of society; they are all our friends, neighbors or acquaintances. This applies both to the victims and to those who caused these deaths. As a society, we must confront this major lesson. Secondly, inspections must continue in a firm and deterrent manner without compromise.”

“No service should be received from anyone without authorization or certification”

Prof. Kaan Yılancıoğlu reiterated that people will naturally eat and drink outside and that this is a societal need, adding: “However, citizens should choose transparent businesses they trust and where they can see the kitchen. Those who seek pest control services must check the specialist’s certificates and permits. No service should be received from anyone without authorization or certification. Additionally, if fumigation is going to be performed, people must stay away from home for a day or two. The same applies to businesses. After returning home, the area must be ventilated for four or five hours. Only then can a safe environment be ensured. It is also vital that those performing fumigation do not hide the situation from neighbors or building management. Human lives should not end in such a dramatic way. The tragedy experienced by that family is heartbreaking. As a society, we must understand this and not avoid our responsibilities.”